Lydian scale · 7 notes
G Lydian scale on guitar
The G Lydian scale has 7 notes: G, A, B, C♯, D, E and F♯. A major scale with a ♯4: dreamy, floating and cinematic.
Notes
- G
- A
- B
- C♯
- D
- E
- F♯
Formula
1 2 3 ♯4 5 6 7
Steps
W – W – W – H – W – W – H
Sound
Dreamy, bright and weightless
G Lydian on the whole fretboard
Every G Lydian note from the open strings to the 15th fret in standard tuning (E A D G B E). The root, G, is shown in red so you can always find home.
A shape to learn first
You don’t need the whole neck at once. This hand position is anchored on a root note on the 6th (low E) string, which is how most guitarists find a scale in any key.
Root on the 6th (low E) string
G at fret 3. 2nd position: frets 2–6.
In the Guitar Scale Finder app you also get the chords of G Lydian as chord diagrams, and can search all 1,860 scales for the notes you play.
Intervals and formula
Measured from G, the G Lydian scale is built from these intervals. It contains 2 sharps (C♯ and F♯). Compared with G major, it has C♯ (♯4) instead of C.
| Degree | Note | Interval | Semitones from root |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | G | root | 0 |
| 2 | A | major 2nd | 2 |
| 3 | B | major 3rd | 4 |
| ♯4 | C♯ | augmented 4th | 6 |
| 5 | D | perfect 5th | 7 |
| 6 | E | major 6th | 9 |
| 7 | F♯ | major 7th | 11 |
Chords in G Lydian
Stack every other note of the scale and you get one chord on each degree. These are the chords that “belong” to G Lydian: any of them will sound at home under a melody in G Lydian.
- IGG · B · DGmaj7
- IIAA · C♯ · EA7
- iiiBmB · D · F♯Bm7
- ♯iv°C♯°C♯ · E · GC♯m7♭5
- VDD · F♯ · ADmaj7
- viEmE · G · BEm7
- viiF♯mF♯ · A · C♯F♯m7
Progressions to try
- G – A I–II · the Lydian lift
- G – A – F♯m – G I–II–vii–I
- G – D – A I–V–II
How to use G Lydian
Reach for it over major 7th chords, film and game music, and progressions that move from I to a major II chord. Its sound is dreamy, bright and weightless.
Tip: Over a major chord, linger on the ♯4. It is the one note that separates Lydian from the plain major scale.
- G Lydian contains exactly the notes of D major, played from its fourth note, G. See D major.
Where to find G on every string
Knowing where the root sits lets you start this scale anywhere. Here is every G between the open string and the 12th fret.
| String | Frets with G |
|---|---|
| High E (1st) | 3 |
| B (2nd) | 8 |
| G (3rd) | 0, 12 |
| D (4th) | 5 |
| A (5th) | 10 |
| Low E (6th) | 3 |
Same notes, different name
These scales from the Scale Finder library contain exactly the same notes as G Lydian. They sound different because a different note is treated as home.
G Lydian scale FAQ
What notes are in the G Lydian scale?
The G Lydian scale has 7 notes: G, A, B, C♯, D, E and F♯. Its formula is 1 2 3 ♯4 5 6 7. It contains 2 sharps (C♯ and F♯).
What chords are in G Lydian?
Harmonising the G Lydian scale in thirds gives G (I), A (II), Bm (iii), C♯° (♯iv°), D (V), Em (vi) and F♯m (vii).
Where do you play the G Lydian scale on guitar?
The root, G, is at fret 3 on the low E string and fret 10 on the A string. A good first shape covers frets 2–6, starting from the root on the 6th string.
Which scales share the same notes as G Lydian?
G Lydian contains exactly the notes of D major, played from its fourth note, G.